NEUADD FAWR, Cilycwm, Carmarthsnhire 1996

A pack of sheep dogs barked around my car as I pulled into the farmyard that stands beside the decrepit walls of Neuadd Fawr, built on an existing site by a William Davys in the late 18th century.

The dogs continued to bark at my heels as I knocked on the farmhouse door and I very nearly ran back to my car. I was pleased I didn’t turn and drive home as I believe I was lucky that day. The dogs calmed and were friendly and the owner, although it was still very early, was happy for me to spend a few hours exploring the house and its grounds.

A heavy morning dew soaked my feet and a bleak mist hung around the grounds, occasionally revealing trees, the walls of outbuildings and a walled garden with ivy covering every inch of the stone. The interior was too dangerous to enter. I always take a hard helmet with me but it felt that at any moment the entire house would tumble down around me.

It seemed well beyond repair then. It’s walls, stone and mortar were damp and sodden and the roof was fruitlessly attempting to shelter the inside from any further deterioration of the rot therein.

Some 7 years later I drove by again. I parked the car, stood on tiptoe, peering over the hedgerow, and across the field. Neuadd Fawr still stood, resilient, with the wind ever blowing through its rooms. I felt somehow nostalgic and relieved. I didn’t like the thought that someone may purchase, demolish, or even rebuild, such a house. What chance to reclaim its history and character? Then again perhaps these days nothing is beyond repair and I’ve heard it is, once again, on the market. The estate contains (now restored) lodge houses, a walled garden and a marvellous twin door stable block.

Comments

By Stuart Sachs: Paul
Your misty/grainy photos of Neuadd Fawr (my mother was born there in WW1)are superb. I visited in 09 & am hugely relieved to see that the place still stands! The farmer/current owner with whom you spoke lives in the old Laundry house. At least 30 domestic staff worked in the main house in its heyday. Brgds, Stuart

By Judith Evans: Paul, thank you. I lived in Cilycwm as a child and roamed the Hall grounds at will. When I first knew it, it was still in some kind of use (a youth hostel?). You've brought my childhood back!

Please turn on Javascript

Your web browser appears not to have Javascript enabled, please enable it to use the form below.
This is required to prevent spam and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.